About the Church
The Church of St Isidore in Reškutėnai is a distinctive example of wooden architecture, located in the village of Reškutėnai, near Ignalina. Built in 1924, the church is unique in its vernacular architectural forms, which give it a special charm and authenticity.
The church's construction was an initiative of local residents. Through their sincere efforts, Vincas Petkūnas and Vincas Lapėnas organised everything so that the chapel could be built as quickly as possible. They petitioned the bishop for permission to have the chapel blessed and to hold services in it. Their wish was fulfilled: on 18 May 1924 the chapel was blessed by the parish priest of Palūšė, Petras Prunskis.
Over time this chapel became an inseparable part of local community life. The priest from Kaltanėnai held services here once a month. Besides its religious function, the chapel also played an important cultural role – the branch of the "Rytas" society ran a Lithuanian school from 1918 to 1934, and a reading room from 1935. In 1927 a branch of the St Casimir Society was founded, which even erected a monument to Vytautas the Great.
In 1940 a parish was officially established, and in 1944 the parish priest Danielius Baužys built the presbytery. The church had various parish priests, but a particularly significant figure was Napoleonas Norkūnas, who served here from 1970 to 1984. His life was turbulent – he was imprisoned in Karaganda, but despite this he actively defended the rights of believers.
Architecturally, the church closely resembles a traditional dwelling house, with a three-sided apse, a low side sacristy, a porch and a small turret. A charming wooden bell tower stands in the churchyard, and the churchyard wall is built of fieldstone boulders, lending the place even more authenticity.
Visiting this church, you can view its interior: the altar with the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aušros Vartai, the organ, the main doors and wood carvings created for the church's 85th anniversary. All these details create a unified and cosy atmosphere, inviting both prayer and reflection.
The Church of St Isidore in Reškutėnai is not only a religious site but also a witness to history, telling of the community's devotion, faith and struggle for its values.
The church's construction was an initiative of local residents. Through their sincere efforts, Vincas Petkūnas and Vincas Lapėnas organised everything so that the chapel could be built as quickly as possible. They petitioned the bishop for permission to have the chapel blessed and to hold services in it. Their wish was fulfilled: on 18 May 1924 the chapel was blessed by the parish priest of Palūšė, Petras Prunskis.
Over time this chapel became an inseparable part of local community life. The priest from Kaltanėnai held services here once a month. Besides its religious function, the chapel also played an important cultural role – the branch of the "Rytas" society ran a Lithuanian school from 1918 to 1934, and a reading room from 1935. In 1927 a branch of the St Casimir Society was founded, which even erected a monument to Vytautas the Great.
In 1940 a parish was officially established, and in 1944 the parish priest Danielius Baužys built the presbytery. The church had various parish priests, but a particularly significant figure was Napoleonas Norkūnas, who served here from 1970 to 1984. His life was turbulent – he was imprisoned in Karaganda, but despite this he actively defended the rights of believers.
Architecturally, the church closely resembles a traditional dwelling house, with a three-sided apse, a low side sacristy, a porch and a small turret. A charming wooden bell tower stands in the churchyard, and the churchyard wall is built of fieldstone boulders, lending the place even more authenticity.
Visiting this church, you can view its interior: the altar with the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aušros Vartai, the organ, the main doors and wood carvings created for the church's 85th anniversary. All these details create a unified and cosy atmosphere, inviting both prayer and reflection.
The Church of St Isidore in Reškutėnai is not only a religious site but also a witness to history, telling of the community's devotion, faith and struggle for its values.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Reškutėnų Šv. Izidoriaus bažnyčios fasadas.